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Video: Campaign fights to Save Salford market
by Callum Doolan
With only two weeks left before the closure of Salford’s own flea market, SalfordOnline returned to find out how the campaign was progressing. We caught up with Marie Piekarski, who is leading the fight to keep the outdoor market running. Hundreds of people have signed her petition, from stall owners to locals, and Marie said, “I’m convinced we can get many more.” Marie is hoping the council will provide an alternative site and has suggested she may even launch a legal challenge to the closure. Elderly people who live locally have the most to lose - many have been coming for 20 years or more, not just to shop but to meet friends, tell stories and socialise. Although around ten per cent of the stalls are being moved inside, it is only a small minority and some residents are furious, whilst others still remain unaware of the closure. But despite the impending loss of this Salford institution, local managers Salford Estates, who own Salford Shopping City, appear to have already moved on. Debbie Illingworth commented: "The line-up of stall holders in the indoor market hall is fantastic and promises to take the market days at the Centre from strength to strength." John Winder, who chairs the Market Traders Federation, agrees. He believes the closure will help the image of the market, which he says has been tainted by the sale of counterfeit goods. "All traders moving from the outdoor market are looking forward to the move," he told SalfordOnline. "Hopefully their business will also increase as they will no longer be associated with the sale of counterfeit goods." Not everyone is so positive about the move. Christina McKnight spoke out as a local resident and regular at the market. “Why take it away? They’re going to kill the whole community around here.” Market stall owner Deborah Hall expressed her feelings about the council closing down the site: “I think it’s a disgrace. I don’t think they’ve taken into the consideration people’s feelings and how they’ll miss out.” Seven of the licensed stall holders will move into the indoor market hall from the outside, where they will continue to sell alongside current stall owners. The move is set to take place after the closure on 31st January. Callum Doolan is a Manchester College student on work placement at SalfordOnline.com. If you'd like work experience in filming, writing or video editing, please contact editor@salfordonline.com Due to problems with spam only SalfordOnline members can now leave comments. Becoming a member of SalfordOnline only takes a minute, just hit the red Join Us button at the top right hand side of the page to create your Personal account. Got a news story? Need help with publicity for an event in Salford? Send it to newsdesk@salfordonline.com or call the SalfordOnline newsdesk on 0161 789 5377. |
